Jamil Mangan

The food here is downright amazing—some of the most authentic Southern cooking I’ve had in a while. First time I came, I had the catfish with collard greens, plus it came with candied yams, a complimentary potato salad, and a corn muffin. Everything was seasoned just right and full of flavor. Second time around, I got the four wings (which were pretty big), candied yams again, string beans, potato salad, and cornbread. Just as delicious. All that for around $20, and let me tell you—it’s a lot of food. Definitely worth it. The service was… interesting. The woman at the front wasn’t exactly warm, but she got the job done and was polite enough. Still, the food makes up for it. If I’m ever back in Schenectady, I’ll definitely swing by Yaya’s House again.

Kim Polstein

Great local place! The food was amazing and worth the price for sure. The wings are huge and flavored well. All of the fried chicken was so moist and perfectly crisp outside. The sides were awesome nothing fancy just really good cooking. We got enough for 2 dinners and leftovers the next day. Everything tasted great, even the Mac and cheese, next day too!

_ Moody III

Everything. I love Everything about this restaurant. I'm amazed it was my first time eating there. I'll start with the service. I believe the guy behind the register was the owner or co-owner. Nicest guy. The food - so good. The chicken was perfectly done. The potato salad was just my type ( a hint of relish and mustard). The yams- unreal. In truth I would be fine simply eating a plate of sides (greens, mac, potato salad, yams). Can't say enough about this place.

Christian Shear

Love the atmosphere of this place. It felt like walking into a family kitchen. There's pictures of family and stuff all over the place. And the man behind the counter was so kind. Literally the nicest guy I've ever talked to. I got these honey wings and they were incredible. Definitely recommended coming here!

Cameron Rodgers

The food was absolutely amazing, and the people running the place are so nice! This was my first experience there, and I can't wait to go back. The yams were out of this world!

Alethea Fancett

Service—above and beyond. Location—super convenient to a proctors show or the parking garage if you’re downtown for other purposes. But can I tell you about this food?!? Everything was so flavorful and plentiful. From the yams to the haddock and fried chicken and potato salad and collard greens made with turkey: it got to the point I was mad I couldn’t eat it all nor all at once. I will get dressed in real pants and leave my house for this food. ❤️❤️

Anah James

My husband and I came here on Saturday. Great customer service. The food was so delicious I got chicken dinner my husband got rib dinner. The blueberry bread pudding was Devine. Definitely recommend this place great food. I will be coming back. Thank Ya Ya’sSouthern Cuisine

Willie Sutton

My husband we in the area we decided to drive out a little bit more to stop here before heading home. We didn't realize that it was restaurant week up here so the restaurant was pretty packed . I'd have to say this is the closest southern food we've had so far and it was really good. The chicken thigh was delicious, along with the mac and cheese which was out of this world , the potato salad, macaroni salad and the banana pudding . All very delicious. The owner is very friendly , overall everyone there was very nice and outgoing. The prices were very affordable as well . Definitely come here and check this spot out . Only thing is good luck finding parking.

Dennis

The food was good but didn't give me that Wow I got to get more of this --- The atmosphere seems really nice-- The service gave you that WOW !!! Just for clarity I will eat there again --- I hope that shows that I wasn't saying the food was terrible ---

+3

Ashanti L

I was craving soul food so my friend and I decided to grab some from Ya Ya's. I ordered the catfish dinner which came with yams, collard greens and a corn muffin and I also ordered a side of macaroni and cheese. My friend ordered the fried chicken sandwich with sides of yams and macaroni and cheese. When we went to pick it up I asked about desserts. What I really wanted was pound cake but they didn't have any so I got the red velvet and my friend got the carrot cake. It was a good amount of food. I split mine up because I wanted to have leftovers. (Unfortunately I didn't think to take a photo until after I split it up). Everything I had has delicious and the catfish was a good size. My friend enjoyed the yams and macaroni and cheese. His complaint was that he ordered a sandwich however he got a breast with a wing attached and slices of bread. I'm not sure If that was a mistake or what the sandwich is supposed to be like. He also said that it was a little dry. I'm assuming because it was such a large piece but I'm only speculating. *Masks are required. Restrooms are not open to the public and there is currently no indoor dining due to Covid-19. The place looked and felt very clean. Overall, it was a good experience and I will be returning in the future. Also, the man (who may be an owner, not sure) was very polite and welcoming. He gave off cousin vibes 🙂.

+2

Lauren Williams

You never want to leave a restaurant saying “I could’ve made this better, at home”, but that is exactly how I felt leaving YaYa’s. I want to preface this review by saying I was born and raised in North Carolina and just moved up to Schenectady from Louisiana, so I feel like I know Southern Cuisine. I went to Yaya’s on a Wednesday evening with high hopes, especially after finding out the owner/chef was from Mississippi! I got the Wednesday Pork Chop special, and I was not impressed in the slightest. I guess the reviews for this restaurant are as high as they are because this restaurant is in upstate NY where people don’t know good AUTHENTIC southern cooking. After the visit, I checked some of the other reviews debating if I would leave one, and to see if I was the only one of my opinion. I was not. Other’s agreed that the collard greens tasted like Glory Greens out of the can, the yams also taste out of the can, corn muffin was cold, and it’s hard to mess up a pork chop. The host was a very nice man, and asked if the food got the “Southern Approved” stamp as I was leaving because he heard my accent, and I just told him I guess it was good enough for this area.

Reviews NY

Ordered Mac & Cheese, Yams, String Beans & Catfish Mac and cheese- nasty, no flavor, mushy overcooked noodles 0/10 Yams- these were okay 6/10 String beans- tasted like they were straight out the can 2/10 Catfish- horrible, rubbery, lacked flavor 0/10 WOULD NOT RECOMMEND AT ALL!